superposition
Americannoun
noun
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the act of superposing or state of being superposed
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geology the principle that in any sequence of sedimentary rocks which has not been disturbed, the oldest strata lie at the bottom and the youngest at the top
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The principle that in a group of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest were the earliest to be deposited.
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The principle by which the description of the state of a physical system can be broken down into descriptions that are themselves possible states of the system. For example, harmonic motion, as of a violin string, can be analyzed as the sum of harmonic frequencies or harmonics, each of which is itself a kind of harmonic motion; harmonic motion is therefore a superposition of individual harmonics.
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The combination of two or more physical states, such as waves, to form a new physical state in accordance with this principle.
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See also wave See Note at Schrödinger
Etymology
Origin of superposition
Vocabulary lists containing superposition
Waves and Wave Properties - Middle School
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Earth Science - Middle School
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Geometry - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the quantum world, particles can exist in a superposition of states, meaning they can occupy multiple possible positions or configurations at the same time.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026
The experimental team, including PhD student Or Dobkowski, began by using microwave pulses to place the ultracold atoms into a quantum superposition.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 8, 2026
By adjusting experimental parameters, they could modify the relative size, orientation, and separation of the components within the superposition.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 15, 2026
I used words like qubit, superposition, Schrödinger, and cat, some of them perhaps even correctly.
From Barron's ● May 29, 2026
Their relative age has been determined, as we have indicated above, by their fossils, and also by certain physical tests, the chief of these being superposition.
From Geology by James Geikie
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